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Tag Archives: design

In September, I got married. and it was the most incredible day ever. I have a lot to say about it but I’m waiting until I have one more piece… our wedding video. As a blogger and someone interested in recording our lives in some digital form, a journal of sorts – this blog… {possibly a new domain / name some day as I transition into being on a team}… I’m basically bursting @ the seams to blog about all the details and share it in the webspace for friends & family to experience. Some things just are worth the wait, you know? xx

In the meantime, i have a lot on my mind. And it basically has to do with what our time here on earth is made of. Deep, I know, but get to it… and this is my blog. A bit before we went to Hawaii (next post!), I’d been doing a lot of soul-searching. Life is so incredibly short… what do I want to make up my time while I’m here?

My now husband (eek!), showed me this video when we were lounging on Maui and I think the world needs to watch it, if they haven’t already. And if you have? Watch it again. And make your loved ones watch it. Put your life into perspective and consider with what you’re spending your 24 hours each day doing.

Um, whoa. I had a small internal panic attack when I watched that. Why didn’t someone show me that in high school? Freshman year?… When we were worried about the most trivial of things, stressed-out and drama-filled with events like Prom (who let me spend so much money on those high school formals?!… easily $5K… cringe).

As an adult, I’m trying to spend a bit of time each day reading sites like Quora or watching TED videos. To keep my brain fresh, keep it thinking. A few days ago, I read a question posted on Quora titled, “How can I thoroughly screw up my life.” Now, that’s a pretty deep inquiry. The answer, linked below, by Raqhav Upmanyu has many thoughts I align with. Especially now, as I’m in this phase of contemplation; wanting to shape my life in a way that brings fulfillment / happiness / experiences.

And I know this is entirely an opinion, so take everything he says with a grain of salt or whatever. But it’s a perspective I somewhat align with. It makes me think hard about what I want to make of my time left. He starts out saying the biggest mistake you can make is becoming a statistic and “settling for being a useless part of the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.” Me? I can’t live like that. I can’t be put through the motions and do a 9 to 5 in a cubicle and come out on the other end tired, stressed, lacking sleep, motivation and drive. That is exactly what I would turn into. And it’s not just in the business realm. I found myself watching the Oscars last night. At the end of it, I thought, ‘I just wasted 3 hours on something I don’t have any interest whatsoever in. I hadn’t seen a single movie that was nominated!? Emily, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” I could have been designing cards for my etsy business, reading the book I can’t seem to get through, laughing & connecting with my beautiful mama, sorting through yet another bin of crap I’ve saved over the years with some thought of needing it in a future time (more on that purging process later).

All in all, I want to get down on paper that today is February 29, 2016, Leap Day, an extra day for free just cause. I’m committing to making whatever mindset I’m chasing a reality. I want to make this life fulfilling and get everything I can out of it. I want to do things I enjoy doing, that bring me happiness and flex my creative muscles. I want to travel as much as possible. I want to experience everything. I want to take chances. I want to love crazily. I don’t want to be stressed. I don’t want to be burnt out. I want to be fresh + real + alive. I want to laugh + be optimistic + positive for 95% of my life. And yes, this a ridiculously lofty, insane goal but why can’t I try to shoot for it? It’s worth it to me to try.

Please don’t take this post as me pointing fingers. This is my online space to speak what’s on my mind; this is what I want to capture. And have my kids read someday. Hopefully they’ll think their mother was the baddest woman that ever lived who strived to make the most of her existence.

If I could pick something, anything, that describes how I’m feeling currently. It would be this canvas bag from @sugarboodesigns

Never have I ever enjoyed buying cards at a card store. The words don’t come out right, they picture isn’t funny to me… I always preferred making my own cards and paper goods. After creating a card to give the love of my life… it dawned on me that people might actually like what I create.

My first design was a card called I Love You and Your Beard – it is a popular one! I branched out to make ones stating love for the ‘Stache and the Banana as well… I made my etsy shop, EmiliePaperie and didn’t do much with it. I had a few sales here and there but 2013 I was focused on Apple and other things.

Recently, I came to the conclusion that I want to make this a small side business, a part-time hobby that actually makes money. I learned SEO tools and the power of social media marketing. I made an Instagram and a Twitter to link my shop together across platforms. A few weeks ago, I applied for an assumed name so EmiliePaperie can be mine and mine alone.

I added new content and capitalized on the upcoming holiday, Valentine’s Day, and created some cards that a like-minded individual would appreciate. Let’s be honest, this holiday is about chocolate and “romantically enjoying one another”. I want someone to reach my etsy shop and find the perfect card for their soulmate.

Like this other best seller,

Recently, blogs started to feature some of my cards on their Valentine’s roundup and I was over the moon!

Is this what it feels like to live in Seattle? Everyday, it never fails, rain coming down. Drizzling, dreary, gray. Cold, windy, blustering. The only things I want to do are as follows, in no particular order:

I enjoy advertising and graphic design in magazines where the product is set on a solid surface, sometimes a wood floor, and shot from above. Here are some of my favorite things. Candles (self-proclaimed pyro), the book I just finished “Girls in White Dresses“, brilliant brunette satin shine, eos lip chap, and Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Milk.

After the cleanse, I wanted to treat myself. Kinda like when people reach certain weight loss goals, they’ll buy a new pair of shoes, a nice bottle of wine, or something rewarding to them. This wasn’t a weight loss goal but a 5-day cleanse was trying and at times, frustrating. So… I decided to splurge on a few pieces of Lulu. Ladies beware, it’s dangerous in there! The colors of the season are bangin’ hot.

In February, my doll face lady from Scottsdale came home for a week. Met this chick in 3rd grade and we’ve been best friends ever since. The majority of the week was spent gossiping, hitting the gym, and drinking. Who are we kidding? I can make a mean St Germain Cocktail and she can spot the perfect bottle of Riesling from a mile away. #greatminds

This lion cub-looking puppy melts my heart. He makes me want to find a way to keep puppies small. Forever and always. I like big dogs, too, but there’s something about little puppies that can instantly change your mood. The next breed I’d like to own is either a Corgi or a Great Bernese Mountain Dog. A little and a big.

I don’t consider myself a brand whore. In fact, I prefer the term brand loyal. There are a few with which I happily associate myself and highly recommend. This snapshot showcases four of them (artistic, no?). The car I drive right now is a Lexus. I’m thisclose to having it paid off. This model is one I saw on the freeway and secretly told myself I’d tote around my four kids in it one day… got the car, time to work on step two. The thumb holes on my Lululemon tops are reason alone to fall in love with the Vancouver-based retailer. No more sleeves rolling up into your jacket! Bazinga! Gorgeous, comfy clothing, totally unaffordable, but that’s what wish lists are for, right? I prefer regular water, by the gallon, I’m a water girl at heart. As long as it doesn’t taste like plastic, and doesn’t carry a strain of motezumas revenge (worst Mexico trip ever!)… I’ll guzzle it. After a good workout, I prefer Zico coconut water. After weightlifting, when my arms are like jelly worms, I pretend I spent all morning on a deserted island, hacking away at a palm tree to reach some of this glory. Last, but not least, a year ago we discovered a new shop called Superdry. I figured it was a high end, boutique fabric softener store – boy was I wrong. Behold some of the best jackets known to man. Superdry is a company based in Japan that knows the value of a zipper (or ten). This jacket (also with thumb holes I might add) retails for $140, it’s called the polar windcheater and worth every penny.

This tall, beautiful brunette is a breath of fresh air. I consider her one of my best friends and had to visit her while vacationing in her zip code. I made a reservation under a fake name (Debra Morgan, holla Dexter freaks!) and surprised her at the swanky salon where she works. It only took me 2 hours of public transportation bus riding and a mile walk to get there, but well worth the effort! Those annual girls trips I take? She’s one of the six ladies, and I would not be as far along in my life as I am without her straight talk, cuddles and infectious laugh. Mwah Carla!

Made a visit to Universal Studios. The best part? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The cobblestone, Butterbeer [a nonalcoholic butterscotch and root beer flavored frothy drink that tastes spectacular with smuggled in whiskey], everything! There’s even a wand shop where you can buy a phoenix-feather wand. Whoever thru this place together paid unbelievable attention to detail – I swear the air even smelled like freakin Hogwarts!

There’s a franchise in Florida that must make its way to the Midwest. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has this magical salsa bar that is entirely glorious. Whoever thought to offer serve yourself pineapple salsa deserves a raise. Or an orgasm. I literally ate three cups of pineapple salsa in record time. Inhaled it.

I wasn’t prepared for the random week that I’ve had. But I’m healthy and happy and I won’t complain.

A friend of mine told me about this company she has a subscription with, called IPSY. Ten bucks a month gets you a little makeup bag of different products and brands to try. Now, if you know me, you’ll know I’m not a very high maintenance girl. Give me a hair binder, a lip chap (or six), some Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo, and I can conquer the world. But, I decided to expand my horizons and try some different products on the market. Maybe I’ll find some I like. Yesterday I got my January bag. Inside was, Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter (so luxuriously smooth!), bigsexyhair spray & play volumizing hairspray (va-voom!), nailtini nail polish in bloody mary (holy red!), Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (makes my hair shiny like diamonds!) and a SOHO eyeliner brush.

I’m about to broaden my horizons in the realm of cosmetics. And if I don’t like something, well… that’s what best friends are for right?

After many long months of waiting… one of my Kickstarter rewards has arrived! Jake Parker is a phenomenal artist. His goal was to design and publish a book with the help of crowd funding. Behold, the hard cover that I’m so excited to flip through. He did a great job and it’s super exiting to see a project that you’ve backed, sitting right in front of you! Check out more of his work on his website. I heard his original intent was to his stories bound in a book for his kids to read… adorable.

The crazier part of the last few days is that I had jury duty this week. For real. It was very, VERY anticlimactic. I sat in one room for 8 hours at a time – and read a seriously funny book that I highly recommend. So wait, I got paid to read a book? Well, yes, work pays me to go to jury duty… and there is compensation from the county for my “duty”, to the tune of about $10 each day… hardly covers parking downtown.

Isn’t there a better system for this? Instead of 80 people sitting, waiting, in silence, to be called (and only about 15 did), couldn’t we be on-call? And if you need someone, then I will leave what I’m doing and go to the courthouse? It seemed like a lot of man hours gone to waste. Let’s hope I never have to do that again. And if I do get summoned, I’m crossing my fingers I get chosen for a super high-profile murder trial and then sequestered. I would love a series of free nights stay at a swanky hotel downtown and fresh grilled salmon each night. A queen sized bed all to myself with sheets of egyptian cotton? Room service? Hot showers that can last for twenty minutes? Sign me up! k thanks bye!

Did you know I love taking pictures? Did you know I love Instagram and sharing pictures on the go? My latest Facebook Timeline is a small layout of some recent Instagram pics. My username is : tolifewithlove (of course!) and I would love for you to follow me!

Life is more enhanced with images. Especially for memories sake! This is how we remember events, adventures, people, and beautiful sights! Be careful that you don’t spend too much time taking pictures that you don’t actually enjoy what is happening around you. Snap a few images and then get in on the fun!

It’s not always the best to be an innocent bystander – get in there… jump in the sprinklers! Get dirty! Put away the phone and go throw colorful dust at your state’s Color Run 5K like I did this morning! 7:30am wake-up, quick run, hundreds of pounds of colored dust being thrown left and right! What a beautiful sight to see!

Drum roll… here’s my new Facebook timeline. I really like to customize my messenger bags and iPhone cases when I can. This particular photo is a mug of the house coffee brew at St. Francis in Phoenix, AZ. We enjoyed a relaxing brunch there on a Sunday morning. Our second annual girls trip took us away for a weekend to Arizona where K is living. (side note : we have a standing trip each year – girls vacation – and 2011 took us to the beautiful Monte Lucia Resort & Spa nestled on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale.)

We gather from all over the nation (MN, KS, FL, AZ) for a weekend of debauchery, drinking, laughing, delicious meals, pool time, spas, and lots of sun worshipping. These are a few of my closest and dearest friends on the planet.

M, R, me, C, K and M

The backdrop was a beautiful mountain, and one morning it rained – causing large puddles in the grass. I choose the morning activity of dance-stomping in the rain puddles, at the base of a mountain, with all of my best friends as witnesses.

Native.

It didn’t matter what time of day – we cheers’ed to friendship, life, love, the pursuit of happiness – every chance we got. I’m a big fan of cheers’ing, toasting, acknowledging togetherness. Starting with Iced Soy Caramel Macchiatos at the airport, and finishing with bloody marys and mimosas.

Tradition.

It’s true when they say the greatest part about life are your experiences and interactions with people : your relationships. I would be nothing without my friends.

Ladies and gentleman, they have arrived! I found Rise Bars thru another site. I clicked thru, fell in love with their marketing, and decided I needed them in my life. I settled on the Sampler Pack because I couldn’t settle on just one flavor. Stay tuned for a blog post about those later.

My girlfriends and I had a sushi date at Fuji-Ya yesterday. With $3.5 Sapporo beer, $5 rolls, and Yellowtail Nigiri ringing in at $3.5 – we cleaned that place out. Molly decided to splurge on a glass of $18 Sake with a name that escapes me, bless her heart for sharing.

I love the new window displays Target has in the summer, it really makes the outside look put together. Funny because their entire store layout has twisted, turned, flipped and rotated to the point where I don’t know in what aisle to get a lip chap because it’s been replaced with a display of avocados.

Under the Dome has been on my bookshelf for exactly 18 months. I cannot, for the life of me, finish this book. It weighs a whopping 5 lbs. with 1,074 pages. I’m nearly 4/5 of the way done and to the point where I’m craving completion. The next book on my list is the oh-so-very controversial 50 Shades of Gray. Erotic fiction? I’m in!

See those three beings under the overhang? Father, mother, and Oliver. Three of the most irreplaceable people in my life. I would crawl over broken glass, butt naked for these three.

Once upon a time, I stepped foot into a Trader Joe’s. Best step I ever took. Their product line has the most interesting offerings – like this Corn & Chile Tomato-Less Salsa. Olé!

Shopping is something I really try to avoid at all costs. I’m a buyer, not a shopper. There were no three-way mirrors at the new DryGoods store. The reverse camera on my iPhone saved the day. What do you think – cute top? Reminds me of a butterfly : I ended up splurging. Throw on a pair of jean shorts and brown heeled boots – we’ve got ourselves an outfit, people!

A busy week at home forced me to take the reins and steal mama away for a mother-daughter pedicure. A simple indulgence that gives us more than 2 minutes to catch up and laugh. Every.single.time we get pedis we feel like this girl. Out of place and the talk of the entire salon. Sorry, I’m a runner, and yeah, sometimes my toe nail will turn blue ladies.

On a regular basis, I’m waking up feeling more blessed than I’ve ever felt before.

Soak up some sun, laugh until your abs hurt, we only have one shot at this thing called life, you know!

My girlfriend Carley has a father. Carley’s father has bees. Many bees. So many that he has made honey! Check it out! Hardwood Creek Honey produced in Hugo, MN. I got my hands on my very own honey jug and will not deny taking a shot of this sweet stuff on my car ride home. Poured straight down the hatch.

Timbuk2 makes awesome bags. This is a Small Classic Messenger with custom panels. I almost went with Bob Marley colors but decided against it. This fits all of my most important things – Coach clutch, day planner, EOS lip chap, and Q-Tips.

Check out my newest creation, Banana Bars – I have yet to hear a negative comment. Pop these babies in the fridge, everything’s better slightly chilled. The recipe calls for 1 cup of mashed banans, make the right choice and put in at least 3 cups of mashed ‘nanas. After all, that’s what we’re showcasing, right?

I’ve never had a blow out. I’m not sure what they are but Sex and the City and every other girlie girl on the planet swears by them. Apparently there is a new bar coming to MN – Blast Blow Dry Bar. I’m in – I’ll try anything once (within reason).

Two-toned hair is what I’m currently rocking. Except for – I don’t dye my hair. So – where did the black come from? Mixes and mingles well with the dark brown color… was not expecting this stranger.

The bruises leftover from last week’s Tough Mudder adventure make me look like I’m in an abusive relationship. The guy at Valvoline Oil gave me a side glance when I handed him my credit card and I assured him, “No, this is not from a beating… I got my ass handed to me at Tough Mudder last weekend.”

Listen up juicers. I’ve got a new trick for you. Give this Spark juice a try. After a night of drinking or after a night of overindulging with Burger Jones. It will flush your system like a charm. Spark is easy to remember – it stands for: Spinach, Pineapple, Apple, Romaine, and Kale. Bomb.com

Nugget over here is ready to play after wearing his shock-collar all day. Good Lord it’s hard to put the collar on him when he looks so.damn.cute!

In other news:

I’m a lefty. Always have been, always will be. I follow a blog called The Time Is Write and her post recently about left-handed people had me crying I was laughing so hard. I highly recommend it.

My current Kickstarter interest is 999Bottles. They have designed a sexy, sleek, water bottle. It helps you track and visualize the positive impact you can have on the environment by drinking from a re-usable bottle instead of a disposable one. The stainless steel bottle features a clever three numbered dial along its length to help you track how many times you re-use it. I’m all for saving the polar bears, this makes it more noticeable and stays at the forefront of my mind.